It was light when Wade opened his eyes. Not bright, it couldn't have been very late. But he did have his trusty Hello Kitty watch on his wrist, usually for times after death to figure out how long he'd been out. 4;30 am. So out for long enough, but still too early to do much.
Wade closed his eyes again, trying to settle his newly-healed brain so he could remember the night before. He remembered the smell of tacos, but not the taste. Peter had made dinner again. He remembered talking about their day. He remembered the phone call Peter got, and that he threw him out. He remembered Peter's 'I love you'. The evening slowly pieced itself together, the whole bitter event reforming and darkening his mood. Wouldn't be the first time Wade shot himself directly after waking up. But he'd need to call Nessa beforehand. Waking up the mother of a 4-year old at 4:30 was just cruel. So he decided pancakes were a better option.
The answering machine on the counter distracted him, a bright red '1' flashing for his attention. The thought of Vanessa wanting to call him back and being worried he had already shot himself made his mood even worse. So he just steeled his mood for the message. You have one new message. New messages...
"Wade, are you there?"
It was Peter. Immediately the merc was tempted to delete the message. He remembered Peter promising to come back, but he wasn't in the apartment. Might be too early to expect your hooker ex-partner to come back for his things and to try and explain his evening activities away, but it still made Wade more miserable. He needed to not be home when Peter came for his things, not sure he'd be able to control his tears or rage.
"It doesn't matter, as long as you hear this message it doesn't matter when. But I need you to hear this, the ways things look right now I might not make it back for the morning."
He sounded in pain, like serious pain. His breathing was laboured, a groaning edge to his voice and he was speaking slowly. Wade had tried to talk in multiple states of injury, and it was usually only the serious damage that affected how quickly he spoke. He was usually so focused on breathing that thinking took more effort, so speaking became slower.
"I wanted to explain what I meant last night, about having a mutation. There's a long convoluted backstory, but I'm not in the mood to give the play-by-play. I got bit by a spider when I was 15, it was a field trip to Oscorp. It was radioactive or some shit. But it messed up my genes. Now I'm super strong and agile, I climb walls, there's a lot of fun powers."
That was why he was so distressed about how hard he squeezed. With super-strength, Pete could probably crush Wade's bones. Poor kid must have shit himself when Wade flinched, thinking he'd lost control and caused real harm. Wade could see the interaction through Peter's eyes now, it all seemed less dramatic and sadder. Peter couldn't relax with people, not without the risk of hurting them. Probably not even MJ.
"I don't know why you kicked me out. Trust me, once I recover I'm storming your place to figure that shit out. But I can only guess it was the job thing, so I want to explain that too. Just in case."
Just in case what? He could just explain when he felt better.
"Mr Parker, your blood pressure is lowering. Should I end the call?" A computer voice asked.
What was wrong with Peter's blood pressure? Why was it going down? Things didn't sound good to Wade, and I desperately wished he'd been conscious to answer the call and ask what the weird computer woman was saying about his baby boy's blood pressure.
"No, Karen. Thanks for the warning, but I have to finish this. Wade, there was a problem at Oscorp. It's the company Harry's dad owns. Some sort of alien waste escaped and the side effects fucking suck. Possessed-people-trying-to-eat-everyone level of sucking. He asked for my help, and that call was from Mr Stark. Like Stark Industries and the Avengers. Harry told them I had powers, he built me this suit with Karen so I could help get this shit under control. Aliens stormed the park Nora's having her party, it would crush her to have it cancelled."
Wade chuckled, smiling fondly. Of course, his little angel was worried about Nora's birthday. They'd never talked about the Avengers or what they'd do if they were asked to help with fighting off an alien invasion, but he could imagine Peter stepping up if it helped keep little Nora's party on track. He loved that little girl, but everyone who met her loved her.
"I took a bad hit, a little while ago. I can't stand, so I knew I'd be in recovery in the morning and wouldn't have the chance to explain everything."
"Pete!" Wade yelled, desperate to ask where Pete was so he could save him. But he'd missed the call. A doomed-to-fail suicide attempt was more important last night.
"I'll be fine. Karen monitors my heart rate and blood pressure. She'll call for help if I need it."
"Mr Parker, I've already sent out a distress signal. Your blood pressure is critically low due to blood loss. And your heart rate is considered worryingly low."
"Thanks, Karen. Bet that's a comforting message for the answering machine."
Wade was shaking. He was on his knees without knowing when he'd fallen to them, eyes locked on to the blinking '1' and barely breathing. Peter was obviously downplaying his injury if the computer voice was using words like critical. And it still didn't tell him where Peter was. How was he supposed to help if he wasn't told where he was?
"I'm getting sleepy, which probably isn't a good sign," Pete chuckled, followed by pained coughing. "But you had to know. You had to know I hadn't given up on us, that I couldn't come back rather than didn't want to."
"Tell me where you are Petey." Wade begged, "just tell me where you are and I'll run right over baby boy. Please, Pete."
"I love you, Wade. I meant it when I said it. And I'll come back to you, just wait for me."
It sounded like the words barely left his mouth, then Pete was silent. Everything was silent. The computer didn't recite Peter's vitals, and Wade wished she did. He prayed he'd hear his Petey Pie say something, even if it was laughing that everything was a joke. He'd forgive this as the sickest joke in the world, anything to hear his voice. Then he heard another voice.
"Karen, is Peter okay?"
"He is alive, Mr Stark. Critical damage to the abdominal area, mild concussion. He lost consciousness 1.3 minutes ago."
"Good. Guys, Parker is down, I'll get him to Stark Tower for treatment. Captain, your turn to handle clean up."
"Mr Stark, there is a phone call still in progress on Mr Parker's request. Should I end the call?"
"NO!"
"Yeah, whoever it is will call him back."
And like that the message ended. Wade just stared at the number, at a loss for how to handle the situation. Since waking up, the boxes had been silent. But being hit by such a bombshell that may or may not mean that Peter died in a hospital without him was crushing, and he needed to be told what to do. What was he supposed to do?
God, do we have to solve everything?
Get your fugly ass to Stark Tower! NOW!
Go grovel at that boy's feet and fix this, if you even can.
Didn't I say now? GET OFF YOUR ASS!
Wade nodded, not to them or himself, just a movement that got his body back in action. He unfroze from his position on the floor, rocketing for his suit and weapons. He was in a rush, but that didn't make him stupid. Stark Tower was Avengers central, going unarmed was never going to get him to Peter. Practically, he shouldn't carry too many weapons, which meant he was limited to two guns and Bea and Arthur. But that would do, he was sure. He'd had a lot less on some of his jobs.
Quit worrying about your weapons and fucking RUN!
"Right!"
~o0o~
The journey to Stark Tower wasn't the issue. He actually made it to the elevator uninterrupted. But then recognised that he had no idea which floor the hospital area would be, which meant a dash to the front desk to interrogate the receptionist.
"I still can't believe Peter would call you."
Tony Stark stood by the elevator Wade had planned on using, gesturing him to get in. Usually, Wade would weigh up the likelihood of easy shit being a trap, but Stark didn't seem to have the patience for that.
"The suit recorded the call. We knew you'd be coming at some point. So, if you're actually planning to see your loverboy this morning, you'll have to get in the elevator. Dumbass."
Refusing to look a gift horse in the mouth, or be too concerned that Peter would be really embarrassed to know Karen recorded his confession, Wade rode the elevator with Stark to the right floor. The millionaire blathered about the details of the mission Peter had been recruited for, but Wade wasn't listening. He'd thought of nothing but Peter's message as he ran, and they were the only details he cared about. All he needed to know now was if Peter was okay.
"He had some surgery." He continued, smirking when Wade finally seemed to pay attention. "Inside was a shitshow, but my people fixed it and he should be fine. His Oscorp friend mentioned an increased healing factor, so recovery shouldn't be too long. And with a metabolism like his, he'll burn the anaesthesia out and wake up soon. You can wait with his friends."
Stark stopped moving, drawing Wade's attention to the hospital hallway they'd walked down and the door they were in front of. The millionaire playboy didn't wait to answer any other questions or make sure Wade behaved as he'd expected.
Must think you'll behave yourself for Peter's sake.
And you will. Cos you're his bitch.
"Yes, I know."
Wade rolled his eyes, trying to remember to answer the boxes in his head as he walked into the room. There was a dainty red-head sat holding Peter's hand, focus absorbed on his face, and a well-built brunette stood by the window. The room was tense, negativity screaming between the two. Seemed it was Wade's job to break that.
Please don't make a joke.
He pointed to the red-head and brunette in turn, "I'm guessing Harry and Mary Jane." He smiled at the guy, "Peter's told me you'll be his surrogate. We're very grateful."
MJ giggled, barely turning to the merc, "he said you thought you were funny. Joking no matter how serious the situation."
Wade didn't know if he was meant to apologise for that or not. Harry made the decision for him, asking MJ to step outside with him. Wade would hold his hand and make sure he wasn't alone, and they needed to talk. Preferably in a separate room, so her screaming at him wouldn't distress Peter if he woke up. MJ didn't look happy at the request but asked Wade to take her place non the less.
Wade waited until the door closed to roll his mask up, planting a kiss on Peter's forehead. It was a comfort to feel the warmth on his still face. Now the fear of losing someone he loved ebbed away, knowing Peter was warm. He wasn't cold and alone, probably propped up against a tree in the park with only a computer software in a suit to be with him when he died.
Because you kicked him out, remember?
"I'm sorry, Peter. I'm so sorry."
"Wade."
It was almost a whisper, barely a word, but Wade heard him all the same. He stood from the chair, looking down onto his lovers face as his eyes fluttered. He tried to whisper encouraging words to make him open those gorgeous brown eyes, even resorting to bribing him with as much money and sex as Peter could handle. That earned a noise, like laughter, and the sight of those doe eyes he loved so much.
"I'm sorry, Wade," he rasped.
"Oh no, baby. I was an idiot. I heard job and thought it was a hooker thing. It is not you, it's all my fault. You hear me?"
Peter made laugh/noised again, lifting his hand to stroke Wade's exposed jaw.
"Damn, that is a metabolism. No wonder you're so skinny when you eat as much as I do."
"Stop making me laugh, it hurts." Peter smiled.
"I got your message." Wade frowned, "I'm sorry I kicked you out."
"Don't be. You came for me, and that means more to me." Peter pulled him down for a kiss, murmuring against his lips, "I love you."
"Peter. You can't just forgive me for how I treated you last night."
"Too bad. Cos I already have. And I was holding on to secrets, and you're not holding that against me are you?"
Wade shook his head, making the smile on Petey Pie's face wider, "then shut up about forgiveness. In a week or so I'll be fully recovered, then yesterday won't matter. Please, let's forget it together, okay?"
Wade nodded, kissing all over Peter's face as his friends came back into the room. MJ rushed forward but Wade didn't relinquish Peter's hand to her. She smirked, kissing his forehead gently before warning him if he ever tried to help Harry again, she'd kill both of them. Peter chuckled, the movement coming easier the more he did it, and assure her that he had no plans to be a superhero. He was going to college and getting an internship at Stark Industries. He was living a quiet life with his boyfriend, and they'd spend their free time on dates, all over each other, or watching Wade's friend's child. No super action of any kind, ever again.
"Boyfriend, huh?" Wade smirked.
"Yeah," Peter blushed. "Would you have preferred the title 'my bitch'?
Told you, you're his bitch.
Yay!
"Either works for me, Petey Pie. We know they're both true." Wade simpered, "I love you."
Everyone giggled, MJ and Harry gaping at his confession. But Peter smiled, a sweet and shy curve to his lips and brushed his forehead against Wade's, "I love you too."